Army Pay

Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What increases in pay would be receivable by a private soldier on a six monthly overseas unaccompanied emergency tour if he were paid at the rate of the National Minimum Wage.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: Unlimited liability for duty is essential to operational effectiveness of the armed forces and, given their unique status, the Services are exempt from the provisions of the National Minimum Wage Act 1998. However, the Government's view is that Service personnel should not be disadvantaged by being exempt. Levels of Service pay are based on the recommendations of the independent Armed Forces' Pay Review Body, which works on the principle of broad comparability with the pay of civilians in jobs of similar weight and responsibility (derived by job evaluation) against a number of factors. An additional element called the "X-factor" (currently 13 per cent of basic pay) is then added to reflect the overall balance of advantages and disadvantages experienced by members of the armed forces which cannot be taken into account when assessing pay comparability. Soldiers receive the X-factor throughout their careers, wherever they are serving, and it is pensionable. Therefore, they do not receive an increase in basic pay when deployed on operations. The Government believe that the Review Body arrangements are flexible and robust enough to provide a fair level of remuneration for armed forces personnel, especially once all allowances and welfare benefits are taken into account. Over a career, individuals should not be placed at a disadvantage in relation to groups covered by this legislation.

Sierra Leone: UK Troops' Rules of Engagement

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean on 31 October (WA 87), whether the rules of engagement for British forces combating terrorists in Sierra Leone are the same as those for British forces combating terrorism within the United Kingdom.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: The Rules of Engagement for UK forces on deployed operations are always very carefully tailored to reflect the demands of the particular environment in which they are operating, while always reflecting UK domestic law. The Rules for UK troops operating in Sierra Leone differ in several respects from those used in Northern Ireland.

The South East: New Housing

Lord Ezra: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, in view of the uncertainty about the future levels of new housing development in the South East (and the distribution between counties) over the period to 2016, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions will withdraw his Direction requiring West Sussex County Council to provide for an additional 12,800 dwellings in the county by 2011.

Lord Whitty: The Government are intending to announce the next steps on Regional Planning Guidance for the South East shortly.

Special Areas of Conservation

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the European Union has recently asked the United Kingdom and or other member states to designate further areas to be covered by special protection orders or as Special Areas of Conservation; and, if so, what action is being taken by the United Kingdom.

Lord Whitty: The UK has submitted 340 candidate Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) to the European Commission. During 1999, an EC co-ordinated moderation process decided that all member states' site lists were insufficient. They were asked to submit additional sites. The UK has recently submitted 46 additional candidate SACs to the Commission, and intends to submit further sites shortly. The UK has classified 223 Special Protection Areas under the Birds Directive. The Joint Nature Conservation Committee is currently reviewing this list, in consultation with the RSPB, and it is anticipated that further sites will be classified with the aim of completing the UK SPA network in 2000-2001.

Disclosure of Information in Criminal Proceedings: Guidelines

Baroness Thornton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the Attorney-General's guidelines on the disclosure of information in criminal proceedings will be published.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: I am publishing my Guidelines on the Disclosure of Information today. A copy of the guidelines, together with a foreword and an accompanying commentary, is being placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament. These documents can also be found on the website for the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers at www.lslo.gov.uk.

Late Payment of Commercial Debt: Implementation of Directive

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they intend to incorporate into United Kingdom law the European Union's recently agreed directive on late payment of commercial debt, an issue which affects small firms when participating in the single European market.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: We support the underlying principle of the recently agreed directive and we are keen to see greater clarity and transparency in cross-border transactions.
	In line with Cabinet Office best practice requirements, the Small Business Service is currently preparing a consultation document which will be available in the New Year. This document will set out the proposed approach and a number of implementation options.
	The responses to this consultation, together with results from discussions with industry specialists and small firms' representative organisations, will be important in ensuring that we implement the directive effectively, and in line with the Commission's transposition requirements, while meeting business needs.

Coal Mines and Miners

Lord Mason of Barnsley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many deep mined coal mines are still in production; what are their names and in which regions they are; and how many people are employed underground and overall in the coal industry.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: There are currently 17 major deep mines in production in the UK. There are also a number of smaller deep mines, each producing less than 100,000 tonnes of coal per year. The names and locations of the major deep mines are listed on the attached sheet.
	There are currently around 8,800 people employed in deep mines. Including surface mining operations, the UK industry employs around 11,600 people.
	
		Names and locations of major deep mines in the UK Operated by RJB Mining 
		
			 Colliery Location 
			 Clipstone Nr Mansfield, Nottinghamshire 
			 Thoresby Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire 
			 Welbeck Nr Mansfield, Nottinghamshire 
			 Daw Mill Nr Coventry, Warwickshire 
			 Ellington Nr Morpeth, Northumbria 
			 Haworth Nr Doncaster, Yorkshire 
			 Rossington Nr Doncaster, Yorkshire 
			 Maltby Nr Rotherham, Yorkshire 
			 Prince of Wales Pontefract, West Yorkshire 
			 Kellingley Knottingley, West Yorkshire 
			 Riccall Selby, North Yorkshire 
			 Stillingfleet Selby, North Yorkshire 
			 Wistow Selby, North Yorkshire 
		
	
	
		Operated by other companies
		
			 Name Colliery Location 
			 The Scottish Coal  Company Ltd (Longannet) Edinburgh, Scotland 
			 Hatfield Coal  Company Ltd (Hatfield Colliery) Doncaster, Yorkshire 
			 Goitre Tower  Anthracite Ltd (Tower Colliery) Aberdare, Mid  Glamorgan 
			 Blenkinsopp  Collieries Ltd (Castle Drift Mine) Carlisle, Cumbria

Coal Industry: Operating Aid

Lord Mason of Barnsley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What financial assistance has been afforded to the British coal industry since 1997 from the European Commission, the European Coal and Steel Community and the British Government.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: No operating aid has been paid to the British coal industry since 1997. The European Commission approved on 15 November a UK Coal Operating Aid Scheme, but as yet payments have not been made under this scheme pending approval for specific pits.

Broadband Services in Rural Areas

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What policies they have in place to ensure that broadband high-speed Internet access is as available in rural as in urban areas.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Government will stimulate and promote industry investment in higher bandwidth services so that as many people as possible can get faster access to the Internet and other information services. But the market alone will not deliver affordable high-speed connections to all rural areas. We will therefore work through the development agencies in the regions, and with the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, to develop effective strategies for the rollout of higher bandwidth services in rural areas, taking full advantage of public sector investment and the opportunities, in some regions, to obtain EU funding. Other stakeholders will also be involved, to ensure that access to broadband services reaches as widely as practicable. We will ask the Countryside Agency to monitor the rollout of broadband in rural areas and we will take this into account in developing policy.

Internet Participation by Developing Countries

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they respond to the analysis of Nicholas Negroponte, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology media laboratory, that the developing world will dominate the Internet in the future; and whether this will affect their aim to make the United Kingdom the best place in the world for e-commerce.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Government consider that the Internet will only realise its economic and social potential for all of us as an accessible, low cost global network for information exchange if there is full participation by developing countries. The Government therefore strongly support work to close this international "digital divide", particularly through the "Dot.force" launched at the recent G8 Summit in Okinawa, which brings together public and private sectors in developing and developed countries. This will be to the mutual benefit of developing and developed countries.

Broadband Radio Spectrum Licence Awards

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In light of the results of the recent auction of 28 GHz broadband radio spectrum, whether they will consider postponing the proposed auctions of 3.4 GHz, 10 GHz and 40 GHz spectra scheduled for next year.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: We have not yet decided what procedure should be used for awarding licences for these three bands. We are currently consulting industry on the award procedure for 3.4 GHz and 10 GHz radio spectrum licences and the indications are that businesses are keen for the licences to become available as soon as possible. We will be consulting industry, early in 2001, on a range of options for awarding licences at 40 GHz.

Broadband Radio Spectrum Licence Awards

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, on the basis of the outcome, the recent auction of 28 GHz broadband radio spectrum was adequately competitive.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: One of the Government's aims for the auction was to promote competition within the wider broadband market. We offered three licences in each region to encourage new entrants who would provide competition in existing broadband operators. Ten companies qualified to take part in the auction and although not all of them obtained licences it was a major achievement to attact six new entrants to the market.

Broadband Radio Spectrum Licence Awards

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In the light of the recent auction of 28 GHz broadband radio spectrum, how they intend to address the problem that 40 per cent of the population will not have broadband high-speed Internet access; what impact this has on their policy of making the United Kingdom the best place in the world for e-commerce; and to what extent the lack of sale of any licences for Wales, and, in England, South Central, South West, East Anglia and East Midlands areas will delay the roll-out of high-speed Internet access throughout the United Kingdom.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: 28 GHz broadband fixed wireless access is only one way of delivering broadband services such as high-speed Internet access. There are comparable services available via ADSL, cable, fibre and satellite. The licences awarded through the auction will provide a competitive stimulus to existing operators which will help bring better and cheaper services to users. The auction has provided new information on industry's valuation of the spectrum. This will form a good basis for future decisions on making spectrum available for broadband access. The Government will be considering when to re-offer licences in regions where no licences were sold. This will provide a further opportunity for operators to obtain licences and to enhance existing services and coverage.

Medeva Polio Vaccine: Foetal Calf Serum History

Lord Lucas: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the calf serum used in the preparation of the polio vaccine which has recently been withdrawn from use came from a "controlled veterinary herd"; if so, how many animals were in the herd at the time that the serum was taken; and when (if ever) any of those animals were diagnosed as having BSE.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: According to the information supplied by the company to the Medicines Control Agency, the foetal calf serum used in the manufacture of this stock was collected before 1984 and used in the manufacture of a component batch of polio vaccine in 1985. In 1985 there were no BSE-related controls in place. Medeva has no records of the herd from which the material came, and it is therefore not possible to examine whether there were any subsequent BSE-related issues associated with the source of this material. However, Medeva has confirmed that the serum was obtained from herds that would have been under veterinary supervision and compliant with requirements for human food consumption.
	We have asked the Chief Medical Officer to review all the advice given to Ministers on vaccines in relation to Public Health and vCJD. This review will include the circumstances leading to the withdrawal of the Medeva manufactured oral polio vaccine and advice to Ministers on withdrawal or recall of vaccines more generally.
	When the report of the CMO is available, I will respond to the specific points raised.

NHS Estates Agency

Lord Morris of Castle Morris: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are the findings of the Quinquennial Review of the NHS Estates and Health Building Agency.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We are publishing today the report of the NHS Estates Quinquennial Review and copies have been placed in the Library. The review concludes that the agency has performed well in advising Ministers and the National Health Service Executive on policy and strategy for the NHS Estate and on the performance of NHS trusts in managing their estate. It finds that executive agency status has been beneficial and recommends that NHS Estates should remain as an agency.

NHS Estates Agency

Baroness Thornton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish the Strategic Direction 2000-01--2004-05, Key Tasks and Targets for 2000-01 and Annual Plan 2000-01 for the NHS Estates Agency.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We have agreed the agency's Strategic Direction 2000-01--2004-05, Key Tasks and Targets for 2000-01 and Annual Plan 2000-01 and have placed copies in the Library.

Disability Information: Funding

Lord Tebbit: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the extent of Government funding to facilitate the provision of disability information since 1990; to whom it has been paid; and with what result.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: A full answer could be provided only at a disproportionate cost. However, since 1996, the Department of Health has provided over £14 million to voluntary organisations providing disability information under Section 64 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968. We also funded the development of a UK Disability Database by two voluntary organisations, the Royal National Institute for the Blind and the Disabled Living Foundation, at a cost of £200,000 per year in the three years between 1997-98 and 1999-2000. We have also provided disability information directly to the public at a cost of around £1.4 million between 1994 and 2000.

Indonesia: Lasker Jihad Islamic Forces

Baroness Cox: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	In light of violence in recent weeks in Indonesia in the Moluccas, especially in the islands of Ambon and Sapura, whether they have urged the Indonesian Government to remove the Lasker Jihad Islamic forces from the region.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Since the latest upsurge in violence we have repeatedly urged the Indonesian Government at the highest levels, including President Wahid, to remove the Lasker Jihad forces from Maluku. Representatives from European Union Embassies in Jakarta visited Maluku Province from 12-14 October. They found the situation in North Maluku to be improved, but real problems remain in Ambon. We will continue to work with the Indonesian Government and partners to help find a lasting solution.

Israel: Beit Sahour Shelling

Lord Alton of Liverpool: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What representations they have made to the Government of Israel following the persistent shelling of Beit Sahour.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government have on several occasions urged the Israeli Government to limit its use of force with a view to minimising casualties and contributing to de-escalation.

European Rapid Reaction Force

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which countries the Foreign Secretary has in mind as enemies when he said that Europe will be made "safe and secure" by the new European Union armed force; and how that safety and security will be enhanced above that already provided by NATO.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: There is no "new European Union armed force". European Union nations and others (including European members of NATO and EU candidate countries) are making forces available and improving their capabilities for possible EU-led crisis management operations (e.g. humanitarian relief and peace-keeping). They will act militarily only where NATO as a whole is not engaged. They will not act in collective defence, which remains for NATO. This effort will strengthen NATO. Hence the welcome for the EU's intentions, repeated in recent days, from NATO's Secretary-General and from the US Secretary of State, among others.

European Court of Human Rights: Costs

Lord Stoddart of Swindon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Scotland of Asthal on 9 November (WA 165) concerning the annual expenditure of the European Court of Human Rights, why the costs were given in euros rather than in pounds sterling; whether they consider that answers given in the Official Report should be immediately clear to Members of both Houses of Parliament and the British public; and whether their answer was in accorandance with that principle.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The estimated annual expenditure for the European Court of Human Rights was given in euros rather than pounds sterling because the Council of Europe budget is determined in euros. Answers given in the Official Report should of course be as clear as possible to Members of both Houses of Parliament and the British public. The answers should also be as accurate as possible and due to fluctuations in exchange rates it is more accurate to state the estimate of annual expenditure for the European Court of Human Rights in euros rather than in pounds sterling.

EU-Israel Association Agreement: Possible Infringement

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are aware of any countinuing infringements of Israel-European Union Association Agreement relating to goods produced in settlements in Occupied Territories; and, if so, whether they will ask the European Union Council to act in respect of such infringements.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The European Commission is reponsible for enforcing the trade provisions of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. They have not informed member states of any verified infringements, nor has Her Majesty's Government received conclusive evidence of infringements from any other source. The UK is currently participating in a Commission-led verification exercise in respect of goods imported from Israel.

Ethiopia/Eritrea Conflict: Displaced Persons

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there has been any progress by the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees in arranging the return home of those displaced by recent fighting between Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Precise figures are not available. But there has been some progress. The UNHCR have assisted the return of 25,000 Eritreans from Sudan and estimate that at least 5,000 have returned of their own accord. The Eritrean Government estimate that 600,000 displaced persons have returned home since the fighting stopped. The ICRC, UNHCR and other humanitarian organisations continue to assist the return of displaced persons from both countries.

European Charter of Fundamental Rights

Lord Shore of Stepney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	With respect to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, what are their reasons for not approving incorporation of the Charter in the Treaties of the European Union; and what they consider to be the main differences in practice between a Declaratory Charter and a Treaty Charter.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government believe that incorporation of the charter in the EU treaties is neither necessary nor desirable. It is not necessary because most of the substantive charter articles are based on existing law in the EU treaties or the European Convention on Human Rights. It is not desirable because a text incorporated into the treaties requires legal precision. The charter uses a breadth of language well suited for a political declaration enhancing the visibility of rights, freedoms and principles recognised within the EU.
	The differences between a declaratory charter and one incorporated in the treaties would depend on the terms of the incorporation; at present the European Court of Justice is not obliged to have regard to the charter.

UN Information and Communications Advisory Group

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they endorse the appointment of Jose Maria Figueres to the United Nations' Information and Communication Technologies Advisory Group; and what plans they have to assist the ICT Group in its work.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: We fully endorse the appointment of Jose Maria Figueres to the United Nations' Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) Advisory Group. We believe the UN has an important role to play in addressing ICT issues and the global "digital divide", in co-operation with other international bodies, including the G8 and the Commonwealth. Mr Figueres and other members of the Advisory Group met senior officials in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development on 17 November to discuss their work. The discussions were useful and we remain keen to play an active role in helping the group take its work forward.

Strategic Communications Unit and the European News Grid

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the operations of the Strategic Communications Unit in producing the Eurogrid are consistent with their policy towards freedom of information.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Yes. The operations of the Strategic Communications Unit are in agreement with the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Strategic Communications Unit and the European News Grid

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will name the staff of the Strategic Communications Unit responsible for the Eurogrid.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The European News Grid is produced by staff at the FCO, No 10 and Cabinet Office, in consultation with other government departments. It is not our practice to name individual officials.

Strategic Communications Unit and the European News Grid

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	To whom or to which authority the Strategic Communications Unit is accountable for the operation of the Eurogrid.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Minister for Europe is responsible for the European News Grid.

Strategic Communications Unit and the European News Grid

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the annual cost of running the Eurogrid.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: There are no specific costs associated with work on the European News Grid, which is compiled as part of normal working practices.

Strategic Communications Unit and the European News Grid

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	To what extent the Eurogrid contains "lines to take" on potential news stories emanating from the European Union.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The European News Grid does not include "lines to take".

Treaty Compliance

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether signatories to an international agreement may implement only those parts of the agreement that they select and ignore others.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Under Article 17 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, and without prejudice to the provisions of the Vienna Convention concerning reservations, the consent of a state to be bound by part of a treaty is effective only if the treaty so permits or the other contracting states so agree.

The Irish Republic and the Commonwealth

Lord Laird: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What their response would be if the Irish Republic were to apply to rejoin the Commonwealth.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Membership is a matter for all Commonwealth members to decide but we welcome expressions of interest in joining the Commonwealth from all suitably qualified countries.

Kosovo

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their policy on the future final status of Kosovo; and whether they would support independence for Kosovo.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: UNSCR 1244 makes it clear that Kosovo is currently part of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY), but leaves its final status open. It will be up to the representatives of the residents of Kosovo, and the authorities in Belgrade, to agree on final status in due course, with the support of the international community.

US National Missile Defence System: UK Facilities

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether upgrades to radar stations in Yorkshire would be necessary for a United States National Missile Defence System; and, if so, what is their policy towards such upgrades.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: I refer the noble Lord to the memorandum on these questions submitted by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee's recent inquiry into Weapons of Mass Destruction. This can be found in the appendices to the committee's report, which was published on 2 August and is also available on the Internet (www.parliament.uk/commons/selcom/fachome.htm).
	As the Government have repeatedly made clear, any US request to use facilities in the UK for NMD purposes would be considered carefully in the light of the circumstances in which is was made.

Diamonds and Conflict

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress they have made in promoting appropriate multilateral action to evaluate the significance of diamonds and other precious metals in the causes of conflict throughout the world and to deal effectively with any connections which are established.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government are at the forefront of international action to break the link between diamonds and conflict. We have placed this issue on the agenda of the United Nations General Assembly, where we will seek endorsement for the development of an international certification scheme for rough diamonds in order to deny conflict diamonds access to world markets.
	The United Kingdom also inspired and drafted UN Security Council Resolution 1306 (2000), which was adopted on 6 July. This imposed a ban on the import of all rough diamonds from Sierra Leone, with an exemption for rough diamonds controlled through the Government of Sierra Leone's certificate of origin regime. It also provided for an exploratory UN hearing on the role of diamonds in the Sierra Leone conflict, which was held in New York on 31 July-1 August, and for the establishment of a UN expert panel to investigate the link between diamonds and the arms trade. The panel will report to the Security Council in December.
	The Government have given strong support to both the Sierra Leone Expert Panel, the UN expert panel looking into the exploitation of natural resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the link to conflict there, and the UN Angola Monitoring Mechanism investigating violations of the sanctions against UNITA, including the UN ban on the import of all Angolan diamonds that are not controlled through the Angolan Government's certificate of origin regime.
	We look forward to any recommendations these panels may make for further action.

Conflict Prevention and Resolution

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress they have made in establishing interdepartmental arrangements for work on conflict prevention and conflict resolution throughout the world; and how effective these arrangements are proving.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government have established two sub-committees of the Ministerial Committee on Defence and Overseas Policy (DOP). One, chaired by the Secretary of State for International Development, will address the Government's priorities and programmes for conflict prevention in sub-Saharan Africa; the other, chaired by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, will fulfil the same role in relation to the rest of the world.
	We are establishing "pooled budgets" for each of these areas, based on the resources government departments currently spend on conflict prevention, plus a contribution from the Treasury. The pools will come into effect at the beginning of the next financial year.
	Officials of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence, Department for International Development and the Treasury are continuing discussions on the joint structures for assessing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating programmes and projects to be funded from the pools.
	The pooled budgets will also finance peacekeeping and other operations which will be funded at the time of the Main Estimates each year in accordance with collectively agreed forecasts of expenditure.
	These new arrangements should enable the United Kingdom Government to make a more effective contribution to international efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts. We will keep Parliament informed as this initiative develops.

European Defence Co-operation

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they are taking any action, and if so what, following the most recent developments on European defence co-operation to ensure that European states which are not members of the European Union or members of NATO are increasingly drawn into effective partnership for European security.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Feira European Council established interim arrangements for consultation and co-operation on the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) with non-EU European NATO members and EU accession candidates. The Nice European Council is expected to agree permanent arrangements for involvement of these countries in ESDP. The EU Presidency will also make initial proposals at Nice for consultation with other prospective partners on EU-led crisis management.
	On 21 November 2000, Defence Ministers from the non-EU European NATO members and EU accession candidates met with EU colleagues to offer military capabilities to the pool of forces available for EU-led crisis management operations.

South Eastern Europe Stability Pact

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their latest evaluation of the future role to be played by the South Eastern Europe Stability Pact in the Balkans; what interdepartmental machinery they have put in place to maximise the effectiveness of the United Kingdom's co-operation with and support for the pact; and what is the total direct and indirect expenditure by the United Kingdom on such co-operation and support.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Stability Pact agreed at its Regional Table meeting in June to focus on business and investment, the fight against corruption and organised crime, the elimination of ethnic discrimination, security sector reform and support for independent media. Her Majesty's Government support this approach. Next year, we expect the pact to evaluate the progress of the 2.4 billion euro quick start package of measures, announced last March, and produce a strategy for future assistance to the region, for a further regional funding conference as agreed recently by the High Level Steering Group. At the Zagreb Summit in November, countries of the region agreed to submit economic recovery and reform programmes as the basis for such a conference.
	A number of departments co-operate closely over UK support for the pact's aims, notably the FCO, DfID, the Cabinet Office, DTI, MoD, the Home Office and HM Treasury. These departments are in regular contact. This arrangement is found to be fully effective.
	DfID delivers the major part of the UK's non-military assistance to South East Europe. The department has earmarked £100 million for bilateral technical assistance to the region from 2000-2003. In addition, DfID provides some 18 per cent of European Community aid. At the Zagreb Summit, Community aid worth 4.65 billion euro was announced for Albania, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia over the period 2000-2006 under the Community's new CARDS programme (Community Assistance for Reconstruction, Democratisation and Stabilisation).

US National Missile Defence System

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is their response to proposals for a United States National Missile Defence System.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: President Clinton announced on 1 September his decision not to authorise the deployment of such a system at the present time. It will now be for his successor to decide how to proceed. We look forward to engaging with the next US Administration on this and related issues in due course.

US National Missile Defence System

Lord Moynihan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What discussions they have held with Russia regarding the United States proposals for a National Missile Defence System.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government has had numerous exchanges with Russia on this issue in recent months. Most recently, the Prime Minister discussed it with President Putin in Moscow on 21 November.

Stamp Duty Exemption Areas

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What percentage of the country's housing stock they expect to be included in the Stamp Duty exemption areas mentioned in the recent Pre-Budget Report; and when the boundaries of these areas will be announced.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The areas of benefit from the relief have yet to be determined so it is not yet possible to provide the information requested. Further details will be announced in Budget 2001.

UK Tourism Industry and the Euro

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they believe that the British tourism industry and especially small and medium-sized enterprises have prepared actively for the advent of the euro, whose money and coins will be circulating in Britain in 15 months' time, as advised in the publication produced in 1999 by the British Tourism Authority, entitled The Euro and your Business.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: I can do no better than refer my noble friend to what I said by way of response to his Unstarred Question on 2 May 2000, at col. 1010.

Share Dealing Costs

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the British tax regime has any part to play in the apparent threefold excess cost of share dealings in the British Stock Exchange, compared with those of the United States and Sweden.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The costs of dealing in the shares of UK-registered companies depend on a variety of factors.

EC VAT System

The Earl of Northesk: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How they respond to the European Commission's e-invoicing proposals.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The Government broadly welcome Commission proposals for simplifying and standardising invoicing rules in EC VAT legislation. The proposals are intended to facilitate the growth of e-commerce and are consistent with the UK's view that changes to the current EC VAT system should focus on simplifying and modernising the tax. We are examining the proposals in detail and will discuss with our EC partners and business before taking a final view.

Personal Incomes: Top Rate of Direct Tax

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will publish in the Official Report a further correction to the Written Answer by Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 23 October (WA 30) showing the top rate of direct tax on personal incomes in the United Kingdom for each year from 1970-71 to 1999-2000, with reference to the first three years of the series.[HL
	 Question number missing in Hansard, possibly truncated question.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: A revised version of the table given in my reply to the noble Lord of 16 November (WA 46-48) is given below:
	
		
			  Single, non-aged personal allowance for a man with children Taxable income above which the highest rate is charged Highest rate of income tax charged Retail Price Index Single, non-aged personal allowance for a man with no children at 1999-2000 prices Taxable income above which the highest rate is charged at 1999-2000 prices 
			  £ £ **** £ £ £ 
			 1970-7132520,00091.2518.922,857175,846 
			 1971-72 325 20,000 88.75 20.67 2,616 160,958 
			 1972-73 460 20,000 93.75 22.13 3,458 150,339 
			 1973-74 595 20,000 90 24.45 4,048 136,074 
			 1974-75 625 20,000 98 28.82 3,608 115,441 
			 1975-76 675 20,000 98 35.91 3,127 92,648 
			 1976-77 735 20,000 98 41.40 2,953 80,362 
			 1997-78 945 21,000 98 47.19 3,331 74,027 
			 1978-79 965 24,000 98 51.11 3,205 78,114 
			 1979-80 1,165 25,000 75 59.19 3,274 70,261 
			 1980-81 1,375 27,750 75 68.85 3,322 67,047 
			 1981-82 1,375 27,750 75 76.77 2,979 60,130 
			 1982-83 1,565 31,500 75 82.20 3,167 63,747 
			 1983-84 1,785 36,000 75 86.03 3,452 69,611 
			 1984-85 2,005 38,100 60 90.37 3,691 70,133 
			 1985-86 2,205 40,200 60 95.71 3,832 69,870 
			 1986-87 2,335 41,200 60 98.78 3,932 69,383 
			 1987-88 2,425 41,200 60 102.72 3,927 66,721 
			 1988-89 2,605 19,300 40 108.88 3,980 29,487 
			 1989-90 2,785 20,700 40 117.38 3,947 29,336 
			 1990-91 3,005 20,700 40 128.74 3,883 26,747 
			 1991-92 3,295 23,700 40 134.85 4,065 29,236 
			 1992-93 3,445 23,700 40 139.11 4,120 28,341 
			 1993-94 3,445 23,700 40 141.48 4,051 27,866 
			 1994-95 3,445 23,700 40 145.35 3,943 27,124 
			 1995-96 3,525 24,300 40 150.08 3,907 26.934 
			 1996-97 3,765 25,500 40 153.73 4,074 27,593 
			 1997-98 4,045 26,100 40 158.81 4,237 27,339 
			 1998-99 4,195 27,100 40 163.76 4,261 27,529 
			 1999-2000 4,335 28,000 40 166.35 4,335 28,000 
		
	
	For 1970-71 to 1972-73 the highest rate shown is the standard rate of income tax plus the highest rate of surtax.
	For 1973-74 to 1983-84, the highest rate charged includes investment income surcharge at 15 per cent, but this total rate would only apply if the taxpayer's income included investment income greater than the threshold for the highest rate of surcharge, which varied between £2,000 in 1973-74 and £7,100 in 1983-84.

European Movement: EC Financial Support

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Given that budget line B3/301 of the European Union Commission's draft general budget for 2001 reveals financial support for the European Movement in 1999, whether they stand by the Written Answer from Lord McIntosh of Haringey on 28 July (WA 113).

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: I very much regret that my earlier Answer was incomplete.
	The European Movement receives financial support from budget line B3-301 of the EC budget. It is within the remit of the Commission to decide the criteria for the targeting of such funds.

European Movement: EC Financial Support

Lord Pearson of Rannoch: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How much of the 7,921,875.56 euros, revealed in budget line B3/301 of the European Union Commission's draft general budget as paid to "information outlets", went to the European Movement in the United Kingdom.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: It is within the remit of the Commission to decide the criteria for the targeting of such funds.

British Museum: Trustees

Baroness Jeger: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	By whom the Trustees of the British Museum are appointed; and what are their terms of reference.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: The British Museum has 25 trustees. They are appointed as follows:
	Her Majesty the Queen, one; The Prime Minister, 15; Trustees, five; the Secretary of State for Culture Media & Sport appoints four on the nomination of the Royal Academy, the Society of Antiquaries, the British Academy and the Royal Society.
	The responsibilities of the Trustees are set out in Sections 2-7 of the British Museum Act 1963.

Horseracing: Levy Board Abolition and Sale of Tote

Lord Graham of Edmonton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made with his plans to abolish the Horserace Betting Levy Board and to sell the Tote.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: On 2 March this year, my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office announced that the Government had decided to bring to an end the statutory betting levy system, to abolish the Horserace Betting Levy Board and, in principle, to sell the Horserace Totalisator Board (the Tote) to racing.
	Following that announcement, my honourable friend invited the British Horseracing Board (BHB), as the sport's governing authority, to prepare a realistic plan for the future funding of racing without a statutory levy. The BHB's plan was submitted to Government on 13 October. The Government have also been considering, in discussion with the levy board, the BHB and other stakeholder interests, a range of practical issues arising from the abolition decision.
	So far as the sale of the Tote is concerned, racing, with the support of the Tote's own management team, are continuing to develop their detailed proposals for the acquisition of the business. The Government, meanwhile, have been considering what might be the detailed terms of the Tote's exclusive licence following the sale and developing proposals for the future regulation of horserace pool betting. We have also formally notified the European Commission of our proposals in order to obtain state aid clearance, and expect to receive its views shortly.
	The Government are also publishing today A consultation paper on the proposed abolition of the Horserace Betting Levy Board and the licensing of racecourse betting and pool betting on horseracing.
	This consultation paper takes account of the BHB's plan and sets out government's detailed proposals for the abolition of the levy board. Specific areas covered include the BHB's proposal that it should replace the levy board as racing's central funding body and take control of related levy board assets; the board's responsibilities for advancing veterinary science and education and the improvement of breeds of horses; and the future of the National Stud. It also contains interim proposals, ahead of the outcome of the independent review of gambling, for the licensing and regulation of racecourse betting, including the Tote's pool betting operations.
	Publication of this paper represents the next important step towards ending the Government's direct involvement in the administration and financing of racing. The Government wish to see both racing and bookmaking flourish and we remain committed to working closely with both industries as we implement these reforms.
	Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Library. The closing date for responses is 28 February 2001. Thereafter, the Government intend to bring forward legislation, when parliamentary time allows, that will provide for both the abolition of the Levy Board and the sale of the Tote.

Police Information Technology Organisation: Chairman

Baroness Gould of Potternewton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Who they will appoint to succeed Sir Trefor Morris as Chairman of the Police Information Technology Organisation.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: My right honourable friend the Home Secretary today appointed Lieutenant-General Sir Edmund Burton to succeed Sir Trefor Morris as Chairman of the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO). Sir Edmund will take up the appointment on 1 January next year.
	My right honourable friend the Home Secretary would like to pay tribute to Sir Trefor Morris for his contribution over the past three years, during which the organisation has assumed an increasingly important role in delivering police technology. He is very pleased that we have found someone of Sir Edmund Burton's calibre to take over from him, and to lead the organisation at a time when we are investing unprecedented amounts of money in new IT and communications projects to improve the efficiency and operational effectiveness of the police.

Police Authority Costs

Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Over the last five years, what proportion of the police fund in each police area was used annually by the police authority to service the needs of that police authority; and on what it was spent.

Lord Bassam of Brighton: Police authority costs as a proportion of police net expenditure are set out in the table below. Generally, they cover democratic representation, staffing and other costs including audit charges and lay visiting. Further information on each police authority's costs is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
	
		Police Authority costs as a proportion of net expenditure
		
			  1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-2000 
			 Force % % % % % 
			 Avon and Somerset n/a n/a 0.3 0.3 0.3 
			 Bedfordshire 0.7 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.5 
			 Cambridgeshire n/a 0.3 0.3 0.2 0.3 
			 Cheshire 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 
			 City of London 0.0 n/a n/a 0.0 0.0 
			 Cleveland 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 
			 Cumbria n/a 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.3 
			 Derbyshire 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 
			 Devon and Cornwall 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.1 0.1 
			 Dorset 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 
			 Durham 0.5 0.6 0.5 0.5 0.5 
			 Dyfed-Powys 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.2 
			 Essex n/a 0.3 0.4 0.3 0.3 
			 Gloucestershire 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.2 
			 Greater Manchester 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 
			 Gwent 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 
			 Hampshire 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 
			 Herefordshire 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 0.5 
			 Humberside 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 
			 Kent 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 
			 Lancashire 0.2 0.6 0.5 0.3 0.3 
			 Leicestershire 0.2 n/a 0.2 0.3 0.2 
			 Lincolnshire 0.7 0.3 0.3 0.4 0.7 
			 Merseyside 0.7 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.5 
			 Metropolitan Police 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 
			 Norfolk 0.3 0.5 0.3 0.3 0.3 
			 Northamptonshire 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.6 0.6 
			 Northumbria n/a n/a 0.8 n/a 0.0 
			 North Wales 0.7 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 
			 North Yorkshire 0.4 0.7 0.6 0.6 0.5 
			 Nottinghamshire 0.3 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.3 
			 South Wales 0.2 n/a 0.3 0.2 0.2 
			 South Yorkshire 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.2 0.9 
			 Staffordshire n/a 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.1 
			 Suffolk 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.1 
			 Surrey 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 
			 Sussex 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 
			 Thames Valley 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.6 
			 Warwickshire 0.5 0.5 0.4 0.5 0.4 
			 West Mercia 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 
			 West Midlands 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 
			 West Yorkshire 0.3 0.3 0.9 0.3 0.3 
			 Wiltshire 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.5 
			   
			 Total 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 
		
	
	Notes:
	Source: The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy.
	Police Statistics 1995-96 to 1999-2000 Actuals.
	Figures are rounded to one decimal point.
	n/a--Not available.